Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-09-07
"Bother these beggars." mumbled Steele.
UR,1t puess I'll 90 down and get rid of

| "BOther these DeSgarS." mumDleQ SCeele
"But guess I'll 90 down and get rid o
her."
Steele saw black figure sitting by th'
fire. II;
"Well," he said to her, as he entered
"what can I do for you ?',sa
She turned toward him. Her face wa
not that of beggar. Although a triat
pale, it was the face OF pretty woman o.
thirty-fve.
"I only wished to get warm" she said
II was so cold that felt asif should
freeze. am sorry to disturb you. I have
friends in the town, and am sure can gel
employment of some kind there. used
to live there years and years ago."
BY means of few questions he learned
that she was a widow, without any rela
tions in the world. He was deeply touch
ed by her story. 4&
"What was your husbands name ~
asked Steele.
"Carter," she said George Carter"
"Wait here moment" he said, and
went up to his room. &
He went to his desk, and took out some
ST So seldom give, 4, sand car
afford to be liberal to this poor woman
He took two ten-dollar bills and started
back to the kitchen.
"She said her name was Carter. Car.
ter-Carter? Where have heard-what
Carter! My God! That was the name Of
her husband. She said she used to live
here years ago. 1t must be she. 1t is
Katie Drew! It must bel"
Steele shook like leaf. He seemed
young again. He remembered her once
more as the sweet-faced girl, and the
heart which had been slumberinE go long
seemed to spring into new life. He sat
down on the stairs to compose himself,
and then started again for the kitchen
"Willian," said Steele, when he enter.
ed, "here is the key to my office. 1 wish
ct you will find on my desk"
William fell into the trap without sus'
picion, and was off.
Steele seated himself in dark corner
and looked at the woman. He could see
his old love in every feature of the face.
He was strangely excited and knew not
what to say.
"You say you lived here once ?" he be-
gan.
Eyes, when I was GIRL" she said.
"And bad fortune has overtaken you
since. Perhaps you knew my cousin,
then, John Steele?"
eyes" she said," I knew him. Is he
not here now?"
"No, poor fellow" said Steele, feeling
guilty as he spoke the words, "he is
dead"
"Dead!" and she learned her head on
her hand and wept.
"Yes," said Steele, feeling like muir
derer as he spoke, "but none who knew
him, were sorry for it. He had no good
in him, and lived a selfish life"
"Poor man ~ said the sweet, sympathiz-
ing tones. "At heart he was good"
Something seemed to move Steele. He
got up and stood by her chair. His hand.
by accident, touched her. 1t sent thrill
through him that seemed to make new
being of him. -,
"Katie," he said, "don't you know me ?''
She looked up, startled, stood erect, and
got good look into his face.
"John !" she said, in a scared way, and
hid her face in her hands.
"Yes, Katie" he said, lit is John. !
was thinking of you to-day, and it seems
as though heaven has sent you"
'This is such shock to me-" and she
sat down again. "
steele's heart was throbbing wildly, and
he quivered with excitement.
II am old now, Katie, and perhaps
awkward in my speech, but-I-I can't
help what I am saying. You have no
home am rich, and you are the only
woman I ever loved. You are welcome
to all I have. My life has been very lone
ly. With you I would be happy. You
can't love me, 1 know, after all this time,
but do not ask that"
She arose as if to 60. Poor Steele's
TI.heart seemed to be bursting. He uncon.
sciously put forth his arms and touched
her. With sob she fell into them and
rested her head on his shoulder.
"Katie!" he cried in joy.
"Oh, John, how can I speak,"
"Say something, Katie"
II feel so guilty. I thought you would
never forgive me. But-bht-butl have
"But what, Katie ?"
"Oh, John, you know loved you then.
and it was not my fault. have loved
YOU all these long years. am so happy
if you will but forgive me-"
SForgive YOU! Don't speak of that
again. You are homeless no longer,
Katie. I know what love is at least
You are in my house now, and you shall
never 60 out Of it except as my wife,"
"No, John, not"
"Yes, don't object. know it don't
sound well, but don't care Tor that. a
preacher lives close. Won't you con-
sent ?"
"But-"
"Please don't refuse, Katie"
"Well, I guess"
Just then William came in. Steele
nearly ran over him. Hang the papers"'
he said, as William offered them to him
"Here, William" he said, as he came
the front room and light fire. Don't
you hear, you idiot? Don't stand look
ing; move about"
William did not know what was the
matter. He had just got the fire lighted
when Steele came stumbling IN with the
preacher. Traveller.